/)?  ? 


The  Influence  of  America 

ON  THE 

Reconstruction  of  Japan 


BY 


Rev.  D.  Ebina,  D.  D. 

OF 

TOKYO,  JAPAN 


-4  MESSAGE  TO  THE  AMERICAN  PEOPLE,  AT  THE 
CLOSE  OF  THE  WORLD  WAR 


As  all  nations  have  come  to  face  a new  age,  so  Japan 
is  also  undergoing  a change  by  leaps  and  bounds  from 
national  brotherhood  to  international  brotherhood.  The 
present  condition  of  Japan  is  very  similar  to  that  of  50  years 
ago,  when  the  Sunrise  Kingdom  came  out  from  the  feudal 
age  to  enter  the  modern  world.  Let  us  go  into  the  details 
a little  more  fully 

The  birth  of  modern  Imperial  Japan  and  its  sudden 
growth  are  among  tul  remarkable  events  in  the  recent  his- 
tory of  the  world.  W is  not  a creation  of  yesterday ; it  had 
more  than  a century  been  forming  in  the  heart  of  feudal 
Japan,  waiting  for  the  day  of  its  birth.  Through  the  mere 
threat  of  bombardment.  Commodore  Perry  gave  birth  to 


— 1 — 


modern  Imperial  Japan.  No  foreigner  knew  at  that  time 
that  feudal  Japan  was  already  pregnant  with  it.  Even  many 
intelligent  Japanese  were  not  conscious  of  it.  There  were 
two  opposite  forces  struggling  one  against  another  in  its 
formation.  One  was  a monarchical  conservative  force  that 
demanded  the  restoration  of  the  Imperial  family  to  the 
rulership  of  Japan  and  the  expulsion  of  foreigners ; the  other 
force  was  a very  progressive  one,  but  insignificant  in  appear- 
ance at  that  time.  It  desired  the  open  door,  the  equality 
of  men  and  the  coming  out  of  the  Emperor  from  his  divine 
concealment  to  appear  before  his  people  as  one  of  them. 
It  emplasized  the  modernization  of  Japan.  The  feudalism  of 
several  centuries,  the  common  enemy  of  both  the  imperialis- 
tic and  progressive  parties  was  once  for  all  entirely  de- 
stroyed, and  as  the  result  of  the  struggle  of  these  opposite 
forces,  modern  Imperial  Japan  was  created. 

This  remarkable  event  is  rather  to  be  called  a revolution 
than  a restoration.  The  motto,  “Loyalty  and  Expulsion  of 
Foreigners,”  was  changed  into  “Loyalty  and  the  Open  Door.” 
The  phrase,  “Civilization  and  Enlightenment,”  became  more 
popular  than  “the  restoration  of  the  Imperial  rule.” 

The  universal  compulsory  educational  system  was  adopt- 
ed from  America.  Boys  and  girls  of  all  classes  began  to  be 
educated  in  the  same  public  schools  in  order  to  fit  them  to 
become  citizens  of  modern  Imperial  Japan.  The  fatherhood 
of  the  Emperor  and  the  brotherhood  of  all  our  countrymen 
became  the  national  slogan. 

Facing  toward  America,  modern  Japan  was  eager  for 
new  ideals  and  pressed  forward  to  appropriate  them,  sacri- 
ficing all  things  for  their  attainment.  But  the  world  was 
not  yet  prepared  to  receive  Japan  into  the  fraternity  of  free 
nations.  On  the  contrary,  by  opening  the  door  Japan  en- 
tered the  society  of  armed  nations  which  were  then  rivalling 
one  another  for  the  seizure  of  territories.  In  order  to  be  an 
honorable  member  of  the  society  of  armed  nations,  Japan 
had  to  reconstruct  her  army  organization  and  build  up  a 
strong  navy.  Universal  conscription  was  the  consequence. 
By  so  doing,  Japan  hardly  escaped  from  the  aggression  of 


the  great  powers.  The  result  was  the  Germanization  rather 
than  the  Americanization  of  Japan. 

Some  Europeans  who  have  a good  opinion  of  themselves 
as  experts  say:  “The  desire  of  Japan  to  annex  Korea  and  rule 
China  had  been  inherited  from  the  time  of  Hideyoshi,”  who 
lived  three  hundred  years  ago.  Nothing  is  more  erroneous 
than  that.  Japan  had  always  been  on  the  defensive. 
Hideyoshi’s  aggression  on  Korea  was  an  exceptional  out- 
burst. leyasu  and  his  successors  were  so  strong  on  the  de- 
fensive that  they  finally  closed  the  doors  of  Japan  and  even 
forbade  their  countrymen  to  go  abroad,  Japanese  ships 
were  then  crossing  the  Pacific.  If  her  desire  had  been 
aggressive,  Japan  could  have  fought  with  the  Spaniards  for 
the  possession  of  the  Philippines,  and  with  the  Dutch  for 
Java.  If  she  had  been  adventurous,  Japan  might  have  ob- 
tained Australia.  Because  she  put  too  much  emphasis  on 
the  defensive,  she  Ipst  forever  the  opportunity  of  expansion. 

The  adoption  of  universal  conscription  not  only  saved 
Japan  from  foreign  invasion,  but  unexpectedly  made  way 
for  the  growth  of  democracy.  The  sons  of  the  common  peo- 
ple, even  of  the  outcast  class,  were  disciplined  to  fight.  In 
the  Civil  War  of  1877,  ten  years  after  the  revolution,  they 
astonished  the  world  by  defeating  the  strong  army  of 
Samurai,  the  military  aristocrats  then  commanded  by 
General  Saigo,  the  greatest  hero  of  that  time.  Not  by  the 
Imperial  decree,  but  by  their  deeds,  the  common  people 
actualized  the  proclamation  of  the  equality  of  men. 

After  this  Civil  War,  the  Samurai  class  began  to  give 
their  daughters  and  sons  in  marriage  to  the  sons  and 
daughters  of  the  common  people  and  ■'dee  versa.  The  sons 
of  the  common  people  together  with  those  of  Samurai  fought 
against  China  and  Russia  and  experienced  great  victories. 
It  was  a great  gain  for  democracy  in  Japan,  because  by  these 
magnificent  victories  national  brotherhood  was  strength- 
ened. No  wonder  the  great  organization  of  the  army  and 
navy  has  become  supreme  in  Japan.  It  is  a natural  out- 
come of  external  and  intemal  circumstances. 

Is  national  brotherhood  with  militarism  the  ultimate  aim 


3 — 


of  the  development  of  nations,  or  is  there  a higher  ideal  and 
broader  interest  than  nationalism  ? Here  is  the  crux  of  the 
question  on  which  Japan  is  now  divided. 

If  nationalism  be  the  ultimate  end  of  man’s  social  and 
political  development,  Japan’s  present  state  is  the  most  de- 
sirable one.  No  one  has  the  right  to  criticise  her  in  regard 
sirable  one.  No  one  has  the  right  to  criticise  her  in  regard  to 
this.  Such  criticism  as  the  loud  noise  raised  about  the  Shan- 
tung question  may  be  considered  as  an  outburst  of  jealousy 
and  fear.  It  may  be  considered  as  nothing  more  than  the  con- 
flict of  self-interest  against  self-interest,  capitalism  against 
capitalism,  and  nationalism  against  nationalism,  which  will 
Anally  lead  nations  to  war.  Do  we  desire  nationalism  to 
become  rampant  in  the  world?  Heaven  forbid! 

Had  not  America  been  endeavoring  to  promote  the  inter- 
national welfare  of  humanity?  Was  not  the  selfish  ambition 
of  German  imperialism  beaten  down  by,  the  higher  ideal  of 
humanity  and  the  international  interest  of  the  Allies?  If 
we  have  faith  in  reason,  and  in  the  progress  of  humanity, 
and  above  all  in  God,  we  cannot  but  hope  in  the  coming  of 
the  Kingdom  of  God  on  earth.  Is  not  international  brother- 
hood nearer  to  the  Kingdom  of  God  than  national  brother- 
hood ? No  nation  can  enter  God’s  kingdom  unless  it  be  born 
anew  and  become  international  and  supernational. 

Though  the  League  of  Nations  framed  by  the  Peace 
Conference  at  Paris  be  imperfect,  yet  it  does  not  prove  that 
the  international  brotherhood  of  nations  is  utopian  and  a 
delusion.  Nothing  less  than  such  a gigantic  and  sublime 
scheme  as  the  League  of  Nations  can  satisfy  the  require- 
ment of  the  Christian  consciousness.  Whether  it  be  perfect 
or  imperfect,  it  must  be  viewed  as  the  beginning  of  a new 
age.  Is  Japan,  which  is  now  in  the  height  of  nationalism 
and  militarism,  morally  and  spiritually  prepared  to  enter  it? 

The  Anglo-American,  religious  influence  exerted  by  mis- 
sionaries and  through  religious  literature  has  been  tremen- 
dous. The  results  have  not  been  so  brilliant  as  expected, 
but  deep  down  in  the  soul  of  Japan,  it  has  given  a new 
ideal,  a new  sentiment,  a new  aspiration,  a new  energy,  a 


— 4 — 


new  consciousness,  a new  spirit  that  cries  after  God,  the 
Father  of  all — “Abba  Father!”  This  cry  is  the  strongest 
and  noblest  of  all  cries  Japan  has  ever  experienced.  It 
arouses  in  the  depth  of  the  soul  the  consciousness  of  divine 
sonship,  of  divine  kinship  with  Christ  who  reigns  over  all 
and  in  all,  the  consciousness  of  the  new  man  created  after 
Him  in  righteousness  and  holiness  of  truth,  who  has  come 
not  to  be  served  but  to  serve  and  give  his  life  as  a ransom 
for  many. 

This  new  man  contradicts  his  environment,  political, 
social  and  individual.  He  is  struggling  and  travailing  in 
pain  to  redeem  Japan  from  her  old  conditions,  and  to  break 
the  hard  shell  of  nationalism  and  militarism. 

Protestant  Christians  number  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand.  This  number  is,  when  compared  with  the 
large  population  of  fifty-six  million,  very  small ; little  more 
than  one-fourth  of  one  per  cent.  But  their  influence  is  con- 
siderable. The  highter  the  grade  of  intelligence,  the  greater 
is  their  number.  Three  years  ago  there  were  three  hundred 
Christians  among  five  thousand  students  in  Tokyo  Imperial 
University,  and  among  one  hundred  professors  of  the  same 
institution  there  were  sixteen  followers  of  Christ. 

The  leader  of  the  democratic  movement  among  young 
men  is  Dr.  Yoshino,  the  professor  of  politics  in  Tokyo  Im- 
perial University,  an  enthusiastic  member  of  my  church. 
He  is  the  most  popular  writer  and  lecturer  in  Japan.  The 
leader  of  the  universal  suffrage  movement  is  Dr.  Amai,  a 
congressman.  He  is  also  a member  of  my  church.  The 
leader  of  the  labor  movement  is  Mr.  Suzuki,  who  was  for  a 
long  time  a member  of  my  church  and  now  belongs  to  the 
Unitarian  Association. 

Though  Christians  are  comparatively  few,  yet  their 
friends  are  very  numerous.  Those  who  have  imbibed  Chris- 
tion  ideals  are  innumerable.  Thus  a new,  democratic  inter- 
national Japan  is  already  formed  within  the  Imperial  mili- 
tary nation.  How  shall  it  emerge  and  be  set  free  ? 

Some  imagine  that  the  fear  of  America  will  bring  about 
the  regeneration  of  Japan.  No,  that  is  a very  erroneous 


— 5 — 


view.  It  is  out  of  date.  America  did  this  60  years  ago.  It 
must  not  be  repeated.  Japan  has  ever  been  grateful  to 
Commodore  Perry  for  his  decisive  action  as  is  manifested 
by  setting  up  his  monument  at  Uraga.  But  modern  Japan 
is  very  different  from  feudal  Japan. 

Suppose  America  should  threaten  Japan  by  her  army 
and  navy,  Japan  would  prepare  for  it.  Suppose  America 
should  stir  up  national  feeling  against  Japan,  Japan  will 
stir  up  her  national  feeling  against  America.  If  Americans 
should  send  some  propoganda  to  China  against  Japan,  the 
Japanese  would  do  more  in  China  against  America.  If  some 
Chinese  desire  to  be  helped  by  America  against  Japan, 
there  are  not  a few  Chinese  who  would  be  helped  by  the 
Japanese  against  America.  Army  against  army,  navy 
against  navy,  jingoism  against  jingoism,  nationalism  against 
nationalism  contribute  nothing  for  the  conversion  of  Japan 
and  the  welfare  of  Asia.  They  only  harden  the  hard  shell 
of  nationalism  and  delude  the  inexperienced  Asiatics. 

I am  sorry  to  say  that  some  of  your  representative 
statesmen  have  been  driving  Japan  more  and  more  to  Prus- 
sianism.  Are  not  some  Americans  becoming  more  and  more 
nationalistic  and  reactionary?  I believe  that  tendency  is 
only  in  appearance.  But  it  has,  I frankly  tell  you,  been  cast- 
ing a dark  shadow  upon  the  mind  of  the  Japanese.  The 
American  influence  that  Japan  will  not  be  able  to  resist  must 
come  from  another  and  higher  source. 

The  league  of  nations  for  the  welfare  not  only  of 
each  nation,  but  of  the  whole  of  humanity,  requires  broader 
sentiment,  nobler  aspiration,  stronger  faith  in  reason,  more 
intense  love  for  truth  and  the  clearer  consciousness  of  the 
indwelling  spirit  of  God  in  humanity  than  nationalism  and 
patriotism. 

If  this  great  scheme  of  world  brotherhood  be  presented 
to  the  mind  of  the  Japanese  by  the  unconquerable  deter- 
mination of  the  American  people,  Janan  cannot  fail  to  accept 
the  invitation,  because  it  appeals  to  the  better  nature  of  the 
Japanese  and  clarifies  the  ideal  of  Christianity  already 
hovering  in  their  mind.  This  moral  influence  accelerates  the 


— 6 


process  of  Japan’s  conversion  from  national  brotherhood  to 
international  brotherhood.  You  know  how  to  deal  with  an 
individual  to  convert  him  to  Christianity.  In  the  same  spirit 
the  conversion  of  the  nation  must  be  brought  about. 

The  Christian  internationalism  revealed  in  Christ  and  to 
be  realized  in  the  League  of  Nations,  is  a tremendous  blow 
to  the  militarism  of  any  nation,  and  of  course  to  the  militar- 
ism of  Japan.  The  present  form  of  militarism  cannot  stand 
because  of  its  robbery  and  oppression.  It  has  a strong  rea- 
son for  its  existence  when  it  stands  on  the  defensive  side. 
In  the  name  of  national  defense,  it  grows  and  increases  in 
strength.  Therefore,  if  we  take  away  the  reason  for  its 
existence,  it  will  no  longer  maintain  its  power,  provided  that 
the  sentiment  of  the  people  is  influenced  by  a higher  ideal. 

My  American  friends,  as  you  once  lead  out  Japan  from 
the  old  feudal  system  and  its  clan  brotherhood  to  national 
brotherhood,  will  you  not  now  encourage  Japan  to  advance 
from  imperialism  and  its  national  brotherhood  to  interna- 
tional democracy  and  universal  brotherhood  ? I assure  you. 
Japan  will  respond  to  your  call  for  higher  ideals  and  nobler 
life.  My  earnest  prayer  is  that  Great  Britain  and  the 
United  States  will  more  closely  be  united  for  the  great  and 
noble  cause  of  humanity.  The  united  determination  of  these 
two  gigantic  nations  can  make  the  Christian  ideal  a reality. 

Is  not  the  League  of  Nations  the  application  of  the  Chris- 
tion  democratic  principle  to  international  politics  ? Is  it  not 
more  satisfactory  to  Christian  sentiment  than  the  society 
of  armed  nations?  Is  not  Christianity  in  very  fact  the 
religion  of  the  League  of  Nations?  Is  it  not  indeed  the 
creative  power  of  the  League?  As  long  as  Christianity  is 
dominated  by  nationalism,  it  is  an  undeveloped  religion,  and 
unable  to  displace  the  national  religions  of  Japan  and  China. 
The  defect  of  Protestantism  is  that  it  is  too  nationalistic. 
If  it  would  unite  all  nations  under  its  influence  into 
a fraternal  federation,  and  come  to  Japan  as  the  driving 
force  of  the  League  of  Nations,  Japan  would  give  up  her 
religion  of  ancestor  worship  and  embrace  Christianity.  Be- 
cause she  must  acknowledge  one  universal  Father,  and 


— i 


become  a part  of  the  universal  brotherhood  of  mankind. 
Then  Japan  will  be  your  sister  nation  in  body  and  soul. 
There  will  no  more  be  the  dread  of  war  between  America 
and  Japan. 

America,  by  taking  the  responsibility  of  leadership  in 
the  League  of  Nations,  could,  I assure  you,  be  the  means  of 
producing  a new  democratic,  international  Japan  that 
would  fulfill  the  work  done  by  your  predecessors,  statesmen, 
missionaries  and  educators  for  the  last  sixty  years.  May 
God  impress  upon  America  her  responsibility  in  the  redemp- 
tion of  the  East! 


(5  cents  per  copy.  Add'-ess.  T.  Chiba,  1916  Lyon  St..  San  Francisco) 


